A McKenzie friend can sit beside you in court, take notes, help you with your papers and quietly give you advice. They can't speak for you, question witnesses or sign court documents for you unless the judge gives special permission, which is rare for anyone who charges. They aren't lawyers and nobody regulates them, so it pays to know what's true before you rely on one.
Going to court without a lawyer is daunting, and a lot of what's said about McKenzie friends online comes from people selling their services or from lawyers who would rather you didn't use one. Below, each belief gets a straight answer and the rule it comes from. For the fuller picture, including how to find and choose one, read our guide to McKenzie friends.
In the courtroom
"A McKenzie friend can speak for me in court"
False. Only with the judge's permission, which paid helpers rarely get.
The court's guidance says a McKenzie friend can't address the court, make submissions or question witnesses (Practice Guidance, paragraph 4). A judge can allow it, but should only do so for a good reason, such as a close relative speaking for someone too unwell to do it themselves, and never just for convenience. Someone who helps people regularly or for money will be allowed to speak only in exceptional circumstances (paragraphs 18 to 23). They can't go to a hearing in your place either: you're still the person in the case.
"I have an automatic right to bring one"
Partly true. There's a strong presumption in your favour, but the judge can say no.
You have the right to reasonable help from a McKenzie friend, and it isn't up to you to justify it (Practice Guidance, paragraphs 2 and 5 to 7). But the court can refuse or limit their help, for example if they're really running the case, using you as a "puppet", don't understand that everything is confidential, or have been banned from bringing claims (paragraph 13). In a private hearing, which includes most family hearings, you may be asked to explain why you want them there, though the presumption in favour of allowing them is strong (paragraph 9). Tell the court as early as you can who you're bringing, and ask them to bring a short note of their experience (paragraph 6).
"My ex can stop me bringing one"
False. Your ex can object, but only the judge decides.
Either of you can raise concerns about the other's McKenzie friend. The person objecting has to give good reasons, and you must get a fair chance to answer before the judge decides (Practice Guidance, paragraphs 7 and 8). Things like the case being simple, your ex not having a lawyer, or the case involving private family matters aren't reasons on their own to refuse (paragraph 12). The same applies the other way round if you're worried about the person your ex brings.
"A McKenzie friend can question my ex for me if there's been abuse"
False. The court appoints a qualified lawyer to ask the questions instead.
Since the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, family courts must stop someone questioning their victim in person, and the victim questioning their abuser, where there's a relevant conviction, a protective injunction or specified evidence of domestic abuse. The court can also stop it in other cases (Domestic Abuse Act 2021, section 65). If no other way works, the court first invites the person to arrange their own qualified lawyer and, if they don't, can appoint one paid for by the state. That has to be someone with a legal right to speak in court, which a McKenzie friend doesn't have (Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984, section 31W).
Paperwork and your case
"A McKenzie friend is a kind of lawyer"
False. Anyone can call themselves one, and nobody regulates them.
Some McKenzie friends have legal training and many don't. They don't have to hold any qualification, belong to a professional body or carry insurance, and the Legal Ombudsman can't deal with complaints about them because it only covers regulated lawyers (Legal Choices). A friend or relative can act as one with no experience at all.
"They can sign and file my court forms for me"
False. They can help you fill them in, but you sign them and they're filed in your name.
Running someone else's court case, which includes starting proceedings and taking formal steps in them on their behalf, is a "reserved legal activity" that only authorised lawyers can do (Legal Services Act 2007, section 12 and Schedule 2). Doing it without being entitled is a criminal offence (section 14). The court's guidance says a McKenzie friend can't act as your agent or manage your case outside court, for example by signing court documents (paragraph 4).
"I can't show them my papers because children cases are private"
False. You can share them to get advice or help, but they can't pass them on.
Children cases are private, and sharing information from them can be contempt of court. But the family court rules specifically allow you to share information about your case with a McKenzie friend so you can get advice or help (Family Procedure Rules, Practice Direction 12G, paragraph 2.1). They can only use it for that purpose (paragraph 5.2), so they mustn't show it to anyone else or post about your case online. Before you share anything, check they understand this.
Money and fees
"Paid McKenzie friends are illegal"
False. Charging for help and advice is lawful.
The guidance says you can lawfully pay a McKenzie friend for reasonable help, such as advice or admin work (Practice Guidance, paragraph 27). In 2016 senior judges consulted on tighter rules, including stopping paid McKenzie friends recovering their fees. In 2019 they made no change and passed the issue to the government (Lord Chief Justice's response, February 2019). Lawful doesn't mean checked, though, which is why the questions further down matter.
"I can claim their fees back from my ex"
False. You pay their fees yourself, whatever happens in the case.
A McKenzie friend's fees for advice and help can't be recovered from the other side (Practice Guidance, paragraph 27). If they did work that amounts to running your case without the court's permission, they can't charge anyone for it, including you (paragraph 28). Budget for the full cost from the start.
"If I can't afford a solicitor, a paid McKenzie friend is my only option"
False. There's free and fixed-fee help to try first.
Charities such as Support Through Court, Advicenow, Citizens Advice, law centres and LawWorks give free help and information to people representing themselves, and Advocate finds volunteer barristers for people who can't pay. Many solicitors offer one-off advice or fixed-fee help with a single step, and some barristers can be hired directly without a solicitor (Bar Standards Board). If you have evidence of domestic abuse or child abuse, you may get legal aid (GOV.UK). The links are in free and low-cost help below.
Checks and promises
"All McKenzie friends are insured and checked"
False. Insurance isn't required, and no one checks them by default.
Most McKenzie friends don't have insurance to cover you if something goes wrong (Legal Choices). Members of the Society of Professional McKenzie Friends, a voluntary membership body, must be insured, meet its standards and use its complaints process (Society of Professional McKenzie Friends). If you pay anyone, you also have rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Ask to see proof of insurance and how to complain before you sign anything.
"A good McKenzie friend can guarantee a result"
False. Nobody can promise an outcome. Treat it as a warning sign.
The judge decides on the evidence and, in children cases, on what's best for the child. No helper can promise how a judge or Cafcass will see things, and a promise like that is a reason to walk away. Be wary too of anyone who wants to take over your case or put words in your mouth: the court can refuse a McKenzie friend who is really running the case (Practice Guidance, paragraph 13).
A McKenzie friend can make court feel less lonely. They can't take the case off your hands, and anyone who says they can is selling something.
Before you pay anyone
If you're thinking about paying a McKenzie friend, check these things first. divorcd doesn't vet, list or recommend McKenzie friends, so these checks are yours to make. Our guide to McKenzie friends goes through choosing one in more detail.
- Get the work and the cost in writing, including what happens if the case takes longer than expected (Legal Choices).
- Ask about insurance and complaints. Are they insured, do they belong to a membership body, and who can you complain to?
- Check they know the limits. They should tell you plainly that they can't speak for you or sign documents for you without the court's permission.
- Ask about their experience of your kind of case, and whether they'll give you a short CV to show the judge.
- Compare the price with one-off or fixed-fee help from a solicitor. Sometimes it's similar, and a solicitor is regulated and insured.
- Walk away from anyone who promises a result, pressures you to sign quickly, or wants you to cut off other advice.
If you're not safe, tell the court before the hearing. You can ask for separate waiting areas, a screen or to give evidence by video, and you may qualify for legal aid. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, is free and open 24 hours on 0808 2000 247. Rights of Women gives free legal advice to women on family law and domestic abuse. The Men's Advice Line is on 0808 801 0327. In an emergency, call 999. See our safeguarding page for more helplines.
Where can you get free or low-cost help?
Try these before paying anyone, or alongside a McKenzie friend:
- Support Through Court: free practical and emotional support for people going to court without a lawyer, at some courts and by phone.
- Advicenow: free step-by-step guides for family cases.
- Citizens Advice and law centres: free advice, and help finding other support.
- LawWorks: free legal advice clinics run by volunteer lawyers.
- Advocate: free help from volunteer barristers for people who can't afford it.
- Check if you can get legal aid, especially if there's been domestic abuse or child abuse.
If your case is about money, our guide to representing yourself in financial proceedings walks you through each stage. If you're weighing up whether to pay for a lawyer at all, read do I need a solicitor for divorce? For children cases, see applying for a child arrangements order without a solicitor.
Many family solicitors will help with one step, such as checking your statement or advising before a hearing, for a fixed fee. Get matched and we'll introduce you to two or three.
Representing yourself?
Tell us where you are in your case and we'll introduce you to two or three family solicitors who offer one-off or fixed-fee help. The introduction is free, and they'll tell you their fees before you agree to anything.
Get matchedCommon questions
What is a McKenzie friend?
A McKenzie friend is someone who isn't your lawyer but comes to court to support you when you're representing yourself. They can sit with you, take notes, help with your papers and quietly give you advice. Some are friends or relatives who help for free, and some charge a fee.
Can a family member be my McKenzie friend?
Yes. A McKenzie friend doesn't need any qualifications, so a relative or friend can do it. They should have no interest in the case themselves, understand what they can and can't do, and keep everything about the case confidential. If they're also a witness in your case, tell the court, because that can be a reason to refuse.
Do I need to tell the court I'm bringing a McKenzie friend?
Yes, as early as you can. The guidance says you should tell the judge who your McKenzie friend will be, and they should bring a short CV or note of their experience, confirming they have no interest in the case and understand their role and the duty of confidentiality.
Can a McKenzie friend come into a private family hearing?
Usually, yes. Most family hearings are held in private, so you may be asked why you want them there, but the presumption in favour of allowing a McKenzie friend is a strong one. Having a sensitive or confidential case isn't on its own a reason to refuse.
How much does a paid McKenzie friend cost?
There's no set rate and no regulator setting prices. Some charge by the hour and some offer fixed fees. Before you agree, ask for the work they'll do and the full cost in writing, and compare it with fixed-fee or one-off help from a solicitor, which can sometimes cost about the same.
What can I do if I'm unhappy with my McKenzie friend?
Raise it with them first, in writing. If you paid them, you have rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If they belong to the Society of Professional McKenzie Friends, you can use its complaints process. The Legal Ombudsman can't look at complaints about McKenzie friends because they aren't regulated lawyers.
Sources
- Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, Practice Guidance: McKenzie Friends (Civil and Family Courts), July 2010
- Lord Chief Justice and Judicial Executive Board, Reforming the courts' approach to McKenzie Friends: response (February 2019)
- legislation.gov.uk, Legal Services Act 2007, section 12 and Schedule 2
- legislation.gov.uk, Legal Services Act 2007, section 14
- legislation.gov.uk, Domestic Abuse Act 2021, section 65 (Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984, Part 4B)
- Ministry of Justice, Family Procedure Rules, Practice Direction 12G
- Legal Choices, McKenzie Friends
- Society of Professional McKenzie Friends
- Bar Standards Board, Public access barristers
- GOV.UK, Legal aid: domestic abuse or violence
Keep reading
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws, fees and figures change, so check the sources above and speak to a qualified professional about your situation. Facts checked 10 November 2026.